Attendees are usually angry about cell phone use, talking, and other interruptions during viewing. Although violence in American movie theaters is rare, there have been several notable cases of violence that have occurred in movie theaters.

In 1989, screenings of Harlem Nights across the country led to shootings and fights. Two people were killed in a shooting in Southfield, Michigan, and a teenager was killed in a theater shooting in Richmond, California. The violence sparked controversy over the film.

In May 1998, eight people were injured in a gang attack during a showing of I Got the Hook Up at a theater in Bakersfield, California.

On December 25, 2008, in Philadelphia, during a showing of The Mysterious History of Benjamin Button, a 29-year-old man took offense to a loud man in the theater and threw popcorn. at his son and shot the man in his left arm. The shooter was found guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced to 11-23 months of house arrest and 5 years of probation.

The screening of the movie Alice in Wonderland was scheduled to take place. be stopped at Regal 14 Stadium in Bowie, Maryland because of a fight that occurred because of a teenager who kept putting his feet up on the chair of a child sitting in front of her. The child’s father had to be escorted out of the theater by local police.

On Jan. 13, 2014, a 71-year-old retired police officer shot and killed a couple who were allegedly texting while watching a movie. The lone survivor in Wesley Chapel, Fla. A 43-year-old man died shortly thereafter. The suspect was charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.